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CIDA/Canada and New Brunswick Support Romania in Hosting La Francophonie Summit

FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(CCNMatthews - May 24, 2006) - The Honourable Josee Verner, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages, today announced that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will partner with the Government of New Brunswick to support Romania in hosting the next summit of La Francophonie. Minister Verner signed the agreement during a meeting with the Honourable Percy Mockler, New Brunswick Minister responsible for La Francophonie.

"Canada's commitment to La Francophonie is strong and we are proud of our partnership with New Brunswick and Quebec in promoting cooperation between Francophone communities around the world," said Minister Verner.

"Following the unprecedented visibility received at the 8th Summit in Moncton, the organizers of the 11th Summit are looking to benefit from the services of experts in New Brunswick for the debates' electronic information management system and the implementation of the expanded Village de la Francophonie. Through this collaboration, we seek to tighten our cultural and economic ties with Romania," said Minister Mockler.

This agreement, valued at $500,000, will enable New Brunswick to lend its support to Romanian counterparts in implementing two specific components:

- an electronic information management system for the debates (material and technical support to establish an automated information management and tracking system for the debates); and

- a "francophone village", also named "Bucharest Francophone", which will consist of a series of cultural events showcasing for the public the diversity and richness of the francophone culture.

This funding is part of the $2 million allocation announced to support Romania in organizing the 11th Francophonie Summit. The funding announced today is built into the existing fiscal framework.

Contact Information

Office of the Minister of International CooperationClement BelangerPress Secretary(819) 953-6238orCanadian International Development Agency (CIDA)Media Relations Office(819) 953-6534info@acdi-cida.gc.cawww.acdi-cida.gc.ca (electronic version of document)